Public Notice

Decide the Future of Vehicle Charging Stations Across the Region

April 11, 2023

Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy debuts April 13 and includes several opportunities for feedback on the draft strategy, informed by input last Fall on an interactive online mapping tool.

Santa Barbara, Calif. — Regional transportation planning officials are inviting feedback on the Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy from April 13 to June 9. The draft strategy identifies recommended locations for new vehicle charging stations and unique challenges with zero emission infrastructure in six central coast counties between Ventura, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.

The Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy will be discussed at an online community workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. The workshop program will be presented in English with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.

“Santa Barbara County travelers have expressed a strong desire for improved zero-emission infrastructure in our communities, and we are pleased to offer them an opportunity to discuss this important issue,” said Maya Kulkarni, transportation planner for Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. “We are encouraging anyone interested in learning more about what we are prioritizing for zero emission infrastructure to participate in various online forums or face-to-face meetings over the next few months.”

California announced a requirement in August 2022 that all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the state must be electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids by 2035.

Insight drawn from over 7,000 visits to an online interactive mapping tool last Fall helped shape the central coast strategy.

Santa Barbara County saw a high volume of requests for charging infrastructure at shopping centers, recreation sites, and along the U.S. Highway 101. Participants noted that the lack of charging stations on U.S. Highway 101 Southbound and U.S. Highway 166.

The strategy was also informed by meaningful information gained from in-depth focus groups, designed to gain valuable feedback and ideas on how to move forward.

“It’s clear from the feedback we received in Santa Barbara County that workplace charging infrastructure is lagging behind demand, and this is an issue that needs to be addressed,” said Jenelle Osborne, chair of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and Lompoc mayor “The absence of charging facilities in multi-family housing developments is also proving to be a significant obstacle for some drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles and highlights the need for investment in more charging solutions which are tailored specifically for these types of living environments.”

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Association of Monterey Bay Governments, and San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, partnered to develop the Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy along with the counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey Santa Cruz, and San Benito in the California Central Coast. The strategy will be considered for approval by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors in July.

Central coast transportation planning officials are gearing up to take advantage of the strategy’s recommendations to seek public and private funding that will support the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the region to support the traveling public.

The public is invited to provide feedback and engage in a conversation about the draft strategy during three upcoming virtual and in-person meetings:

• Virtual Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on April 20 via Zoom Webinar at https://bit.ly/centralcoastzevs. The workshop program will be presented in English with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.
• Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors meeting at 10 a.m. on May 18 and July 20 in Santa Maria at the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA 93455. Details on how to participate remotely in Santa Barbara and online will be published on the SBCAG Board of Directors agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting available at www.sbcag.org

Comments on the draft Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy can also be submitted in writing until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 9. Written comments can be submitted via U.S. Postal Service to 260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110; or electronically by emailing info@sbcag.org. The public can also add comments to the online interactive map, which can be accessed through the project website.

Central Coast Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy April 20 Virtual Workshop Flyer Electromobility FAQ English Electromobility FAQ Spanish